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Join hundreds of college access professionals, educators, counselors, and administrators from a dozen western states at the 13th annual GEAR UP West conference, Igniting Opportunities. Explore themes including student support, financial aid, family engagement and more.

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Washington State GEAR UP Resource - Transitions

This "Summer Melt" student guide contains information on critical next steps. It also covers resources and support, registration, tips for commuters, common stages in the first year, strategies for students planning to transfer, and financial aid information.

A Family Guide: Supporting Your Child After High School
The purpose of this document is to provide support to families as their child transitions to college. The content aims to ease the initial transition to college by facilitating an on-going dialogue between a student and their family who may lack knowledge about college. It provides strategies to coach their student. The focus of this resource is to normalize the “first-year experience,” to counteract the “imposter syndrome.” The strategies help set realistic expectations and problem-solving behaviors that students will need in order to be successful in college. (Available in Arabic, Chuukese, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.)

Activity Guide: Preparing Students for the Transition to College
The transition from high school to a postsecondary institution is an important milestone. This period can be marked with enthusiasm as well as self-doubt, stress, and uncertainty. College access professionals can use this activity guide to help prepare students and families for the first year after high school, including what to expect and how to navigate common challenges.

Handout: Make Your College Plans a Reality
There are important steps that need to be completed over the summer for you to be able to enroll in the fall. The tasks listed are common to most colleges. (Available in Arabic, Chuukese, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.)

Handout: Resource Scenarios
These are common scenarios that students encounter during their first year in college. Using your college or university’s website and the handout: Resources & Support Services to Navigate Your Way, identify what resource(s) can help in each scenario on your future campus.

Handout: Information for First-Year Students
The First Year in Five Stages. The transition from high school to college is an important milestone. Many students who live on-campus or commute experience a wide range of emotions during their first year at college. These emotions are normal and often occur in five stages. This timeline includes examples of things students commonly face during their first year of college.